Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced a $350 million settlement with global marketing and communications firm Publicis Health, resolving investigations into the company's involvement in the prescription opioid crisis. The State of Texas will receive approximately $21 million as part of the settlement.
Publicis Health collaborated with major pharmaceutical corporations, including Purdue Pharma, to promote highly addictive opioids such as OxyContin. Their sales tactics included exploiting medical data obtained from recordings of discussions between doctors and patients. These actions significantly contributed to the opioid epidemic in Texas, which has resulted in over 22,600 deaths in the state since 2006.
Attorney General Paxton expressed his sympathy for the affected Texas families, stating, "My heart is with our Texas families who have suffered from the fallout of the opioid epidemic." He emphasized his determination to hold accountable the companies that collaborated with the pharmaceutical industry to unethically promote dangerously addictive prescription drugs. Paxton added, "I will continue to do everything in my power to bring these companies to justice for the harm they created."
This settlement marks another significant achievement for Attorney General Paxton in his efforts to combat the national prescription opioid crisis. He has already secured over $2.98 billion in legal settlements from drug manufacturers and other entities involved in exacerbating the crisis. The funds obtained from statewide opioid settlements are dedicated to opioid abatement and are overseen by the Texas Opioid Council.
The settlement with Publicis Health represents a step toward holding the marketing and communications industry accountable for its role in the opioid epidemic. It sends a clear message that companies cannot profit at the expense of public health and safety. The Texas Attorney General's office continues to prioritize the well-being of its citizens and seeks to prevent further suffering caused by opioid abuse, addiction, and overdose.
For more information on the settlement and to access the filing, please click here.